Vallon de la Bérenguière and Tête du Vicaire, in Sainte-Anne d'Évenos

This is a classic walk in Sainte-Anne d'Evenos, near Toulon. It is easy as it is mainly on forest tracks, but never boring as it alternates between crossing a sometimes very dense forest around the Bérenguière valley and beautiful views of the Beausset basin, the Sainte-Baume mountain range and the bed of an intermittent river.

Details

20389737
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.61 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 292 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 295 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 438 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 145 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Leaving the Ollioules gorges, on the road between Toulon and Aubagne via Le Beausset, you will pass through the village of Sainte-Anne d'Evenos. Not far from the northern exit of the town, turn right onto Route du Broussan and park on the left at the edge of the playgrounds (angle parking) or on the right (parallel parking).

(S/E) Cross the boules courts and then the Reppe via a small bridge, and turn right towards a square planted with large plane trees. Follow the Reppe and turn right towards the northern flank of Mont Cimaï (Chemin de la Bérenguière). Pass an oratory (on your left), walk alongside the vineyards on your left (Dupuy-de-Lôme estate) and the Ruisseau de la Bérenguière stream on your right.

(1) At the first crossroads, leave Chemin Henri Dupuy de Lôme on your left as you cross a bridge and continue straight on along Chemin de la Bérenguière, which climbs gently between houses and gardens. The last section of this road passes through a forest.

(2) When the road surface ends, leave the entrance to the "La Correntille" estate on your left and continue straight ahead (towards the north-east) along the forest track, crossing a barrier (which may or may not be open). The track then crosses a wine-growing estate with beautiful views of the Beausset basin on the left.
After the terraced vineyards, continue straight ahead through the pine forest. The track soon crosses a small valley and, a little further on, turns left at a right angle, climbing towards the ruins of the hamlet of La Bérenguière.

(3) The track makes a double hairpin bend and goes around the ruins on the left. Continue eastwards, soon passing under a high-voltage power line. Continue for about 200 to 300 metres to reach an esplanade where four tracks converge and where there is a cistern marked "ENS1".

(4) Leave the track running alongside this cistern on your right and continue straight ahead, climbing towards the entrance to the quarry, which you can see opposite. Leave the gate of the disused quarry on your left and climb northwards, skirting the edge of the quarry. At an altitude of 400 metres, you can see a pretty valley on your right with beautiful old terraces.
Continue along the main track heading north. On the left, you can see a very deep valley (over 100 m deep) with particularly lush vegetation: this is the Vallon de la Bérenguière.
Crossing the main thalweg of this valley, the track heads due west before beginning its descent. On the right-hand side of the track, you can see the entrance to a karstic cave, in the middle of which a holm oak has grown. You can easily climb down into this cave to admire some beautiful stalactite draperies.

(5) At the very beginning of the descent, you should find the start of the path leading north to La Capucine, but we did not see it. Its route may have changed. Descend along the ridge line. After a steep descent, the trail follows a plateau.

(6) The site of the Tête du Vicaire itself corresponds to the point where the slope breaks. A long descent then leads to a clearing where the high-voltage line passes, with a pylon located at this point. Continue the long descent on the same track until you reach the stream bed.

(7) Follow the stream bed, which is very rocky. On our last visit, it was completely dry, but on previous visits we had seen it with water in it (see photos). The descent offers a variety of passages, between layers of pebbles and potholes carved into the rocky banks.

(8) After passing a few potholes, you will come to a one- to two-metre-high threshold that is difficult to cross, beyond which the stream bed is overgrown with dense vegetation. It is therefore best to turn back and take the path on the left, which first climbs a little and then runs parallel to the canyon above. Soon the path crosses the stream and fords it. Climb up opposite towards the road.

(9) Turn left onto Chemin de la Mirapelle and descend straight towards the village, soon passing the Dupuy-de-Lôme estate and its vineyards, in the middle of which old wind turbines still stand.

(1) Continue straight ahead. Once you reach the square lined with plane trees, retrace your steps back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 149 m - Parking above the boules courts.
  2. 1 : km 0.4 - alt. 149 m - Bridge over the Bérenguière
  3. 2 : km 1.41 - alt. 231 m - Start of the forest track
  4. 3 : km 2.18 - alt. 289 m - Ruined hamlet of La Bérenguière
  5. 4 : km 3.06 - alt. 348 m - ENS1 cistern
  6. 5 : km 4.52 - alt. 438 m - Presumed start of the trail to La Capucine
  7. 6 : km 4.86 - alt. 414 m - Tête du Vicaire site
  8. 7 : km 6.4 - alt. 208 m - Stream bed
  9. 8 : km 6.59 - alt. 199 m - Abandoning the stream bed
  10. 9 : km 7.09 - alt. 201 m - Chemin de la Mirapelle
  11. S/E : km 8.61 - alt. 148 m - Return to car park

Notes

Hike completed at the end of March 2022.

This route is not difficult. The forest tracks that make up most of the route are in good condition, generally not very stony, and do not require hiking boots. Only the section in the stream bed requires some care if you want to cross the thresholds and potholes.

In addition, if you want to visit the cave along the path at an altitude of 440 m (towards the (5)), you will need a good torch.

As the descent is often steep at Tête du Vicaire, it is advisable to have a pair of walking sticks to relieve pressure on the knees and prevent falls.

There are no water sources on the route.

Worth a visit

The Capucine Cave (near (5)) is easy to visit and features some beautiful stalactite formations.

Beautiful panoramic views of the hills of Vieux Beausset, the Beausset basin, and the Sainte-Baume mountain range.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 13 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
3.9 / 5
User 11826801

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A fairly easy, peaceful route along a fairly wide forest road, with beautiful properties at the start and finish. The ruins of Bérenguières and, above all, the karstic cave, which is very easy to access and very interesting to see with its stalactites, enrich this very pleasant route through a forest of oak and Aleppo pine trees. The only slight downside was the section along the river, which was dry during the hike, so it was safe as I had to walk along the riverbed to continue the route; I didn't try the detour.
However, at the end of the trail in the forest, there was a fallen tree blocking the path, and I had to cut the branches to get through. There are a few viewpoints over the Beausset plain.

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madi83
madi83

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk in complete tranquillity, despite being in a densely populated area. The route is easy, with no spectacular views, but it is a beautiful forest that is lovely to walk through.
Thanks to the author for the photos and comments.

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anneke99
anneke99

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello, very easy walk, quite strenuous as the climb is long but not too steep.
The cave was a lovely surprise.
A slightly trickier section at the end of the route (river bed).
A lovely hike, worth doing again.

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rendominique
rendominique

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant short walk through the forest and vineyards. Unfortunately, the forest road and forest have been badly damaged by forestry work.

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JJPLS1937
JJPLS1937
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An interesting hike, which we did the day after a rainy day... In the forest, the trail was very muddy, especially since large machines were hauling timber... The stream had no water, but the rocks were very slippery... Some beautiful views...
A small clarification: at number 4, instead of "continue straight ahead", it should say "turn left".
We didn't find the old terraces (number 4), but we followed the path to the right and climbed to the summit, 489 m, where there are traces of habitation....
Thank you to those who suggested this hike!

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robertisa
robertisa

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with no particular difficulties.
following the GPS route, impossible to get lost
it took us 3 hours and 15 minutes, including breaks and without walking fast.
A varied hike, lacking a little in terms of views, but pleasant overall.
The trail is wide except at the end in the stream.
Definitely not to be done after heavy rain, but I don't think this stream flows often.

Three-quarters of the route is in the shade. We did it one morning in early July without suffering from the heat.

Thank you.

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michel baeuchard
michel baeuchard

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A relaxing stroll and pleasant weather on this day when Mother Nature awakens...

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stjo
stjo

@Mike Yankee, I don't understand your comment:
- "the route has not been updated": do you mean that the author should regularly check the route to correct the guidebook based on any changes that have occurred along the way?
- "you would quickly notice some magnificent viewpoints that are not referenced": should the evolution of viewpoints also be checked (depending, I suppose, on the growth of trees or, conversely, on forest clearing)?
Are you familiar with how Visorando works? It is hikers who contribute to the site by publishing their own hikes, not a public service.
Personally, when I repeat a hike that I have already published, if I notice any significant changes, I modify my guide accordingly, but overall it is the constructive comments from "users" that enable things to evolve.

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Mike Yankee
Mike Yankee

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The problem is that the route has not been updated, and one would quickly notice certain magnificent viewpoints that are not listed.

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glaciers
glaciers

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

We regretted the lack of viewpoints along the route.
The ruins of La Bérenguière reflect a bygone era.
The Capucine cave is worth a visit to admire its concretions.
We descended the entire length of the stream between P7 and P8.
There were a few puddles and potholes, but nothing insurmountable if you're careful...
Thank you to the author for sharing.

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Waddle83
Waddle83

It's between points 2 and 4, I know it's not precise. It's a dirt track on the right that allows vehicles to pass.
I have photos but I can't attach them to the message.
Sorry.

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stjo
stjo

Hello, @Waddle83, your discovery of the little shed seems interesting. Could you tell us where on the route you saw it?
Thanks in advance.
stjo

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Waddle83
Waddle83

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 24, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant, easy walk, made even easier by the fact that the stream was dry. (Not suitable for young children on this section.) A short detour from the route allowed us to see a small Provençal cottage with a beautiful oak tree and two lovely terraces with two old olive trees, probably over a hundred years old.

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jeang83
jeang83

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 15, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant and varied hike. The end of the route along the stream bed is a bit tiring for hikers who are no longer young.

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JeanVar
JeanVar

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 18, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

This hike is well designed, with alternating sunny and shaded sections. However, it lacks stunning views and points of interest (only one: the cave).

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